To ensure you achieve the right surface for a number of sports, it’s important to create a lush, full and visually attractive top layer so that infill materials are not easily visible. In fact, part of the fibres’ duty is to keep the infill close to the base of the system, to support great playing performance.
Synthetic surfaces with a reduced face weight, lack durability and the opportunity to improve playing characteristics. If more yarn fibres are added to a surface, the more the rubber infill is kept below the top layer of the field – resulting in less ‘rubber splash’, a greener appearance and a pitch which is far better to play on.
This can be accomplished through increasing the amount of fibres within a playing surface, as denser fibres self-support, enhance the visual appearance and ensure that playing performance is sustained. In fact, the greater the number of tufts per square metre enhances the ball roll, foot/surface reaction and resilience, as the wear of the surfaces is now on the tips of the yarn rather than the sides; consequently, helping to maintain a higher level of performance for longer.
Although beneficial, increasing fibre content does mean preparing to pay slightly more upfront – increasing fibre content by 50% adds only 3% to the cost of a newly constructed pitch; however, the benefits are tremendous.
A denser surface also marginally reduces the cost of infill material, but the greatest saving lies in less maintenance, as the rubber no longer needs to be redistributed and skin abrasion associated with rubber infill is removed. The positive outcome is of the long-term value from the end product, for everyone involved with the surfaces use.
To ensure your sports surface, whether contact or non-contact, reflects the appearance of natural grass while outperforming in terms of durability, resilience and skin-friendliness, it’s advisable to consider using sufficient amounts of fibre in the initial surface design.
